Directions: beat eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon in a shallow dish or bowl, then stir in milk. Dip bread in the mixture, coating both sides. Then place the bread on a preheated griddle or large skillet. Cook for a couple of minutes until browned, then flip. Remove to a plate and keep warm in the oven, if needed. Serve on plates with plenty of grass-fed butter and organic grade B maple syrup, and maybe some sliced strawberries or blueberries!

GMOs are genetically modified organisms–plants or animals whose cells have been inserted with a gene (genetic engineering) from an unrelated species in order to take on specific characteristics. The crops most commonly genetically modified are corn, canola, soybean and cotton. (source)

While the reasoning behind beginning genetic modification may be good (trying to strengthen crops against pests, producing greater quantities of crops, etc.), the results have been negative for humans’ health. Disturbing the natural, created order of foods at a cellular level causes “unpredicted alterations” (Weston A. Price Foundation – source below) and unintended consequences:

The gene insertion process, whether accomplished via a “gene gun” or through infection by Agrobacterium, can really mess up the normal functioning of the plants’ DNA. It can create mutations, deletions, and altered gene expression near the point where the gene is inserted and elsewhere. Then the transformed cell is cloned into a GM plant using tissue culture, which can produce hundreds or thousands of additional mutations throughout the plants’ genome. In total, a GM plant’s DNA can be 2-4 percent different from that of its natural parent. In addition, up to 5 percent of the natural genes can alter their levels of protein expression as a result of a single insertion. (source)

These unpredicted alterations caused by genetic engineering “can result in new or higher levels of allergens, toxins, carcinogens and anti-nutrients” (same source). Click through to my source for numerous examples. These increased levels of negative contents have been shown to provoke immune response, permeate the intestinal wall, and damage gut flora–and all three of those reactions have far-reaching, long-term consequences themselves (e.g., many neurological disorders with a gut-brain link like autism, ADD/ADHD, depression).

In addition, beyond the cellular changes in the organisms themselves, a main reason behind genetic modification is to make plants resistant to herbicides. “The vast majority of GMOs are herbicide tolerant—they allow specific herbicides to be sprayed on fields without damaging the GM plant. Roundup Ready soybeans, for example, tolerate applications of Roundup herbicide” (same source).

The bottom line is that I do not want to put these toxins (from the genetic mutations themselves and from the herbicides) into my body or into my kids’ bodies.

Third, you can buy fewer packaged products and switch to a more whole-foods, unprocessed diet that includes organic produce and meats from verified sources.

Finally, you can visit The Non-GMO Project and click FIND NON-GMO to find products, restaurants, and retailers that do not use GM ingredients. (I also appreciated this article about avoiding GMOs when eating out.)

On a side note, I do not believe it is the government’s job to ban things like GMOs. I believe it is people’s right to research and decide for themselves and, if they decide not to consume GMOs, to buy those more expensive foods that don’t contain them (rather than the government dictating everyone must buy the more expensive choices). There is a current movement to try to get labeling mandated; personally, I’d appreciate clearer labeling, but not at the cost of higher prices for everyone. Even without labeling changes, it is possible for a consumer to do his/her own research and know which companies and which types of ingredients to avoid.

A recent measles outbreak, which started at Disneyland and has infected approximately 70 people, has put “the anti-vaccine movement” on the front pages of every news outlet. The media, always eager to sensationalize, has turned this into a full-blown epidemic and placed the blame on people who do not vaccinate. How about these article headlines?

Others have delayed getting their children vaccinated because they still believe now-discredited research linking the measles vaccine to autism. “Some people are just incredibly selfish” by skipping shots, said Dr. James Cherry, a pediatric disease expert at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Like every other mainstream news story I’ve read, the ABC story above oversimplifies, discounts, and discredits parents’ views. Most people I know who do not vaccinate their children have made that choice for myriad reasons–and one of those reasons is usually not that they “still believe” defunct research. (And it bugs me to no end that the media automatically discredit that research without linking to any supporting information. It’s like they believe the research is discredited just because all the other media outlets have said so–so now it’s truth.)

Briefly, here are the reasons we do not vaccinate:

Vaccines contain some terrible and toxic ingredients, like human cell lines from aborted infants, formaldehyde, ammonium sulfate, MSG, thimerosal (mercury), and more. Even the CDC website lists these ingredients on its “you don’t have anything to be worried about” page (see that page or the PDF listing all ingredients also on that page). In addition, our bodies don’t know how to process the synthetic ingredients in vaccines, and so those ingredients end up being stored in our “long-term storage centers”–our fat tissue. (source and source)

There are lots of side effects. The CDC placates us by saying, “Any vaccine can cause side effects.”

Our child who was vaccinated (Nate) has a history of being affected by environmental toxins (like vaccines), and we don’t want to assault his body again.

We believe strongly that parents should be able to make the decision about whether to vaccinate their child.

In addition, because two of our kids do not have the MMR vaccine, here are some steps I take to help support our immune systems naturally:

We all take a daily dose of high-quality probiotic (good gut flora are very beneficial for immunity!) and cod liver oil

I apply essential oils to my kids’ necks, heads, and feet each morning before school.

We eat a wholesome, nourishing diet.

Finally, what if we do come in contact with the measles virus and one of the kids contracts it? Well, once symptoms arise (this article spells them out), I would help along a low-grade fever like I always do (email me for the details on how I treat a low-grade fever and the steps I take to prevent ear infection and aid the immune system). Finally, in one of the articles linked below, one researcher found that cinnamon oil made measles cases milder. I have some cinnamon bark essential oil on hand. I don’t imagine getting the measles would be pleasant at all, but at this point I still feel strongly that we do not want to vaccinate, especially with the MMR.

Weekday mornings are always a bit of a rush, but there are a few things I make sure to do every day to help ensure our kids have a successful day. By successful day, I mean avoiding sickness as much as possible, being kind to others and respectful to teachers, paying attention in class, and staying calm and anxiety-free.

– probiotics and cod liver oil: the kids line up before breakfast to get their dose of high-quality probiotics (we use this one) and spoonful of cod liver oil (here is ours). Probiotics help populate the gut with beneficial bacteria and are a natural immunity booster. Cod liver oil is excellent for brain health, focus, and overall nutrition.

– nourishing hot breakfast: I want to fill the kids’ bellies with a nourishing, good-fat-filled, protein-rich breakfast. Here is what I typically make.

– essential oils: while they’re eating breakfast (or sometimes afterward if I’m busy), I put various EOs on the backs of the kids’ necks and/or behind their ears. Comment with your email and I will give you all the details!

Welcome! Today is the last day in the 31 Days writing challenge, where I’ve posted every day (except three) for the month of October. Here are my favorite posts from this month:

Raising chickens to overcome fear of animals – I loved this post because I got to put up pictures of our chickens when they were cute little chicks, but also because this was a real issue with a real solution we experienced in the last year.

Food at school – I like being able to give practical, easy-to-implement tips like in this post. My favorite “treat” recipe is also included in this one.

A nutty treat – I rarely do recipe posts with pictures, but this one was fun.

This post is part of the 31 Days writing challenge, during which I’ve detailed our family’s journey through autism as it relates to the one lifestyle change we made that had the greatest impact on our son’s recovery: nutrition. Click here for a list of all this month’s entries.

I must admit, I thought I would have at least a few people read and comment on some of my posts this month. However, that wasn’t my main motivation for writing every day. My hope is that, by writing our experiences, I might help someone, at some point. I know my blog isn’t the fanciest, doesn’t have lots of photos, isn’t expertly designed, but if it comforts or teaches or helps another family going through similar trials, it’s a success! I would have been so encouraged to have found another mom like me when we were in those first couple of years of diagnosis and therapies with Nate.

So in that vein, if you are here for the first time and are dealing with a new (or old) autism diagnosis, try these posts:

This post is part of the 31 Days writing challenge, during which I’m detailing our family’s journey through autism as it relates to the one lifestyle change we made that had the greatest impact on our son’s recovery: nutrition. Click here for a list of all this month’s entries as they are posted.

I’m enjoying this 31-day journey of writing every day, compiling our experiences, and thinking through what has become important to us nutrition-wise over the years. Is there something I haven’t covered that you are wondering about? Leave a comment, and I’ll answer your questions in another post!

This post is part of the 31 Days writing challenge, during which I’m detailing our family’s journey through autism as it relates to the one lifestyle change we made that had the greatest impact on our son’s recovery: nutrition. Click here for a list of all this month’s entries as they are posted.

Cooking at home will almost always be more nutritious than dining out, of course. And yes, we want to be prepared with quick-to-make and easy-to-prepare nutritious meals in our pantries at home. But sometimes we just have to eat out! When those times occur, I think it’s mostly about common sense and grace. Use our common sense when looking at a menu or asking about ingredients, and then stick to the most whole-foods options we see. Then have some grace on ourselves when we have to choose something less than ideal.

For our family, there are a few places we go regularly. Chipotle is one of my favorites! For the kids, we get a salad (the boys have their lettuce pushed to the side because they don’t like everything mixed together) with carnitas and guacamole, no dressing. Lucy also gets the pico de gallo on hers. I love that Chipotle lists all their ingredients on their website, including GMOs (which their tortilla chips do contain). We also eat at Chick-Fil-A. The kids get the grilled nuggets and a small fry (a treat!). Finally, In-n-Out gets a large chunk of our eating-out money. The kids get either plain meat patties (the boys) or a hamburger protein-style with grilled onions and tomatoes only (Lucy), plus they share one order of fries. Are these choices the absolute best? No. But they are much better than what we used to do. Also, when we do go to a sit-down restaurant with the kids (which is rare), we can usually find a few things to order: plain hamburger patties (check there is nothing added to the hamburger and ask it be cooked with no extras besides salt and pepper), plain steak, side of avocado, side of steamed vegetables, etc.

It’s certainly possible to stick to nutritious eating when you go out. I often find, though, that the price tag for the kinds of foods I want to order for the kids dissuades us from eating out as much as we used to!

This post is part of the 31 Days writing challenge, during which I’m detailing our family’s journey through autism as it relates to the one lifestyle change we made that had the greatest impact on our son’s recovery: nutrition. Click here for a list of all this month’s entries as they are posted.

Making it this way preserves the raw garlic benefits (mostly from allicin, which is formed from garlic when a compound called alliin in garlic comes into contact with the garlic enzyme alliinase when raw garlic is cut, crushed or chewed. When you heat or cook garlic, alliinase becomes inactivated, preventing the production of allicin).

Carefully peel the cloves of garlic without nicking them. (If you nick them, they will look funny but are still usable). Peel enough to fill a jar. You can use any size jar.

Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar. If the jar’s lid is metal, cover the mouth of the jar with wax paper and then screw on the lid. (I’ve found it easier to use a glass jar with plastic lid.) Place a label on the jar. Keep at room temp and shake daily for 6 weeks.

After 6 weeks, pour off half the vinegar. (Save this for using in cooking). Add honey to fill to top. Re-cover and shake. Shake daily for another 6 weeks.

The garlic is now ready to eat! You can eat them as a treat or take at the first sign of illness.

This post is part of the 31 Days writing challenge, during which I’m detailing our family’s journey through autism as it relates to the one lifestyle change we made that had the greatest impact on our son’s recovery: nutrition. Click here for a list of all this month’s entries as they are posted.

Soaking nuts is a good way to make them more digestible, since it neutralizes the phytic acid that naturally occurs in them. Of course, after soaking, they’re all bloated and moist–yuck! So then it’s time to dehydrate them! I have a dehydrator (love it and use it mainly for nuts), but you can also use your oven. This may sound like a lot of work, but it makes the nuts so much easier on your body and also makes the nutrients in the nuts more available for absorption.

Here is a quick rundown on soaking and dehydrating, and then I want to share a delicious recipe. To soak your nuts, put them in a large bowl and cover with filtered water to 2 inches above the level of the nuts. Then add sea salt (quantity depends on how many nuts you have; for a Costco-sized bag of raw walnuts or almonds, I add 2 Tablespoons of salt). Let soak overnight or at least 12 hours. Drain and give a quick rinse. Then spread your nuts out evenly on your dehydrator trays or on cookie sheets. Set dehydrator according to directions, OR put in your oven at the lowest possible setting (150 would be great) for 8-12 hours. I find almonds take longer than walnuts. (After 8 hours, take one out and eat it; is it crunchy or still a bit moist? You aren’t trying to cook it, but you want it to be dried through.) After you’ve dehydrated the nuts, now you can use them to make nut flours, nut butters, or other treats!

Here is a fun and very delicious thing I did this week with some of our dehydrated walnuts.

Chocolate walnut butter

2 cups soaked/dehydrated walnuts

1/4 cup raw cacao powder

2 Tablespoons raw honey or grade B maple syrup (or 1 T of each)

Put the walnuts into a food processor or blender:

Process until the walnuts turn into nut butter! Here is what they look like after a few pulses:

And here they’ve clumped together enough to be nut buttery (don’t worry if it seems dry; the honey/syrup will help):

Now add your cacao powder and honey/syrup:

Process:

Scrape down the sides, and process one more time:

Now enjoy your delicious, healthy chocolate walnut butter! You can do this with hazelnuts to make an even-closer-to-Nutella version. This is good as a fruit dip or eaten straight on a spoon!

This post is part of the 31 Days writing challenge, during which I’m detailing our family’s journey through autism as it relates to the one lifestyle change we made that had the greatest impact on our son’s recovery: nutrition. Click here for a list of all this month’s entries as they are posted.